Message selector with plural sensors triggering random selection

ABSTRACT

A plurality of messages are recorded on magnetic tape or the like. The messages are selected and broadcasted in a random fashion in response to a golf ball or the like being knocked into one of two or more channels which contain sensors or switches that actuate circuits associated with respective sensors.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Francis X. Tierney 96 Gardenglen, West Covina, Calif. 91790 [21] Appl. No. 761,512 [22] Filed Sept. 23, 1968 [45] Patented Apr. 20, 1971 [54] MESSAGE SELECTOR WITH PLURAL SENSORS TRIGGERING RANDOM SELECTION 4 Claims, 2 Drawing Figs. [52] US. Cl l77/l00.1, 179/100.2, 273/102.2, 273/176, 273/178, 273/184 [51] Int. Cl Gllb 15/00 [50] Field of Search 179/100.l (C), (PS). (TC), 100.2 (M1), (S); 340/221, 323; 194/15;273/95.4,102.1,2,127,178-180,]84

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,678,573 7/ 1928 Naltashima 273/ 1 76 Primary Examiner-James W. Moffitt Assistant ExaminerRaymond F. Cardillo, Jr. Att0rneyChristie, Parker & Hale ABSTRACT: A plurality of messages are recorded on magnetic tape or the like. The messages are selected and broadcastedin a random fashion in response to a golf ball or the like being knocked into one of two or more channels which contain sensors or switches that actuate circuits associated with respective sensors.

PA TENTEDIAPR 20 m1 SHEET 2 UF 2 #0 my W. TM 5 y W. W Mm 1%. V /m z .& M Y m km NN MESSAGE SELECTOR WITH PUURAL SENSORS TRIGGERING RANDOM SELECTION This invention relates to amusement devices and, more particularly, to golf hazards used on miniature golf courses.

Miniature golf is a game of skill because it requires concentration, accuracy, and playing technique to achieve a good score. The game is equally significant as a source of entertainment.

This invention provides a message selection system which is ideally suited for use with hazards on miniature golf courses to broadcast any one of a variety of audible messages in response to the particular area into which a golf ball is hit. Thus, if the player makes a good shot, one of a variety of favorable messages is broadcast. If the players shot is not good, one of a variety of humorous critical messages is broadcast.

Briefly, the invention includes a medium such as magnetic tape, phonograph records, or the like, on which a plurality of messages are stored. A first circuit is provided for selecting and broadcasting some of the messages on the medium, and a second circuit is included for selecting and broadcasting others of the messages on the medium. First and second channels are provided to receive a movable article such as a golf ball. First and second sensors associated with the first and second channels, respectively, are each adapted to be actuated by the entry of the article in the respective channel with which the sensor is associated. First switching means responsive to actuation of the first sensor activates the first circuit, and second switching means responsive to actuation of the second sensor activates the second circuit.

Preferably, the apparatus is mounted in'a miniature golf hazard so that either the first or second circuit is actuated according to the area of the golf hazard into which a golf ball is hit.

The preferred form of the invention also includes means for sensing the end of a message to deactivate the circuit which played that message. The preferred form also includes means to make one of the circuits nonresponsive to its respective sensor when the other circuit is activated. This prevents the simultaneous playing of two messages.

These and other aspects of the invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary schematic plan view of a typical miniature golf course hole" with the apparatus of this invention mounted on it; and

FIG. 2 is a schematic circuit diagram of the apparatus of this invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a golf ball 4 is hit by a player (not shown) along a putting green 5 toward a golf course hazard 6 which includes a housing 7 with an entry 8 concealed by a cover 9 disposed over and above the entry. The golf ball enters either a central channel 10 or a side channel 11. The central channel 10 includes a first switch or sensor 12 which is actuated when the ball passes through it. The central channel also discharges the ball in direction of a hold or cup 14 so that a player attempts to hit the golf ball so that it enters the central channel and comes to rest near the cup 14. If the ball enters either of the side channels, it is directed to one side or the other of the hazard, thus increasing the number of strokes required to sink the ball in the cup. Each of the side channels llll includes a switch or sensor 16, which for the purpose of this invention are considered to be the same in either case, and which are actuated when a golf ball moves through either side channel.

A talking circuit 117 with a loudspeaker 18 is mounted in the hazard.

If the player makes a good shot so the ball enters the central channel, the talking circuit is actuated by sensor 12 so that an appropriate favorable or humorous comment is made on the player's shot. If the ball passes through either of the side channels, the talking circuit is actuated so that a humorous critical message is broadcast to the player and his companions.

The operation of the talking circuit may be understood by referring to FIG. 2. A transformer and rectifier 20 converts a conventional volt AC current to 12 volts DC If the first switch 12 (i.e., the switch in the central channel of the hazard) is actuated by the passage of a golf ball, a first relay 22 is energized, causing a first relay armature 24 to move from a normally open position to a closed position and thereby lock the relay in an energized condition even after the ball has passed the switch 12. A second armature 26 of the first relay is moved from its normally open position to a closed position to supply 12 volt power to a conventional cartridge-type tape player 28 as long as the first relay 22 is energized. A third armature 30 of the first relay moves from a normally open position to a closed position to connect a first voice track channel 31 of the cartridge tape player to the loudspeaker 18. A first lockout armature 32 is moved from a normally closed to an open position when the first relay is energized. This prevents a second voice track 34 from being actuated as long as the first relay is energized.

When power is supplied to the tape player, a conventional motor (not shown) in the player moves a dual track magnetic tape 35 past a pickup with dual heads (not shown), which supply the electrical signal of messages from the two tape tracks to voice tracks No. l and No. 2. A plurality of projections 36 are disposed on the magnetic tape between adjacent messages on the tape. At the conclusion of a message, one of the projections momentarily closes a cue switch. The inertia of the tape transport mechanism carries the projection 36 beyond cue switch so it does not remain closed. On the momentary closing of the cue switch, power is supplied to an interrupting relay 40 which has a first interrupting armature 41 and a second interrupting armature 42, each of which is normally in the closed position shown in FIG. 2. When the interrupting relay 40 is energized, both of the interrupting armatures move to the open position so that power supplied to the first relay is interrupted, thereby permitting all four of the armatures of the first relay to return to the original positions shown in FIG. 2. This cuts off power to the cartridge tape player so that the tape transport mechanism stops, and so that no signal is supplied to the speaker from either voice track No. 1 to voice track No. 2.

If the ball enters one of the side channels, switch 16 closes, supplying power to a second relay 44 which has a power-on armature 46, a self-locking armature 47, a lockout armature 48, and a voice track armature 50. When the second relay is energized, all four of its armatures move from the positions shown in FIG. 2 so that power is supplied to the cartridge tape player through the power on armature 46, the second relay is locked in an energized condition through lock-in armature 47, armature 48 connects the second voice track of the cartridge tape player to the speaker, and lockout armature 50 opens so that the first relay cannot be energized as long as power is supplied to the second relay.

After the cue switch is momentarily closed by the passage of a projection 36 on the magnetic tape 35, power is momentarily supplied to the interrupting relay so that both of its armatures move momentarily to the open position. This interrupts power supplied to the second relay so that it is no longer held locked in an energized position. All four of the armatures of the second relay return to the original positions shown in FIG. 2 so that power is cut off from the tape player and no message is broadcast over the speaker.

The message selected to be played depends on the random travel of the players golf ball so that the messages are not necessarily played in a predictable sequence. This enhances the amusement characteristic of the invention.

Although the cue switch is shown operated by projections on the magnetic tape, it can take a variety of other forms. For example, the cue switch can be two simple contacts which are spanned by a conductive material such as aluminum foil affixed to the magnetic tape. In this case, the cue switch is closed only as long as the conductive foil spans the two contacts.

lclaim:

1. Apparatus for random selection and broadcasting of a verbal message. the apparatus comprising a medium on which a plurality of verbal messages are stored, the messages being separated into a first set of different messages stored in random sequence on the medium and a second set of different messages stored in random sequence on the medium, a first circuit for selecting and broadcasting the messages in the first set, a second circuit for selecting and broadcasting the messages in the second set, first and second channels for receiving an article moving on a random path, first and second sensors associated with the first and second channels, respectively, each sensor being adapted to be actuated by the passage of the article into the respective channel with which the sensor is associated. first switching means responsive to actuation of the first sensor to activate the first circuit, and second switching means responsive to actuation of the second sensor to activate the second circuit.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 which includes means for making one of the circuits nonresponsive to its respective sensor when the other circuit is activated.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 which includes means for sensing the end of a message and deactivating the circuit which selected the said message.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the messages in the first set are of one type of subject matter and the messages in the second set are of a different type of subject matter. 

1. Apparatus for random selection and broadcasting of a verbal message, the apparatus comprising a medium on which a plurality of verbal messages are stored, the messages being separated into a first set of different messages stored in random sequence on the medium and a second set of different messages stored in random sequence on the medium, a first circuit for selecting and broadcasting the messages in the first set, a second circuit for selecting and broadcasting the messages in the second set, first and second channels for receiving an article moving on a random path, first and second sensors associated with the first and second channels, respectively, each sensor being adapted to be actuated by the passage of the article into the respective channel with which the sensor is associated, first switching means responsive to actuation of the first sensor to activate the first circuit, and second switching means responsive to actuation of the second sensor to activate the second circuit.
 2. Apparatus according to claim 1 which includes means for making one of the circuits nonresponsive to its respective sensor when the other circuit is activated.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 which includes means for sensing the end of a message and deactivating the circuit which selected the said message.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the messages in the first set are of one type of subject matter and the messages in the second set are of a different type of subject matter. 